So im putting in my new bulbs and that took no time, so im like lets see how tight these bolts are....struct bar, gravy, manifold heat plates, cake, manifolds, no problem, A-pipe to Cat, easy. So i got all that crap off, so whats next??? The A-pipe to manifolds, only 6 bolts and its 8 oclock, i can do this...i have to have this done tonight to get to work tomorrow. I got frickin extensions, wobbly socket, 12mm, i can do this. No deal. Spray WD-40 on all the bolts and let sit 15min. No deal. Use a 3 foot breaker bar, no frickin deal. So i put all the other bolts on and call it a night. How can i get those bolts off? They are on there tight. Is penetrating spray really gonna work? I think i need a bigger ratchet and a long single extension, i was using 5 tonight. So i got a good feel for the setup and the chewed up arms to prove it.

Go ahead and flame me for:
a) no getting them off.
b) doing it alone.

I wanted the growl tonight so bad.

 

You need to use an impact wrench.

 

a 3 ft breaker bar didnt work? damn

u can try an impact wrench or get that super penatrating stuff. maybe get a friend to help too cuz he might have left over strength to get the junk off after u tired urself out.

 

Try using liquid wrench. I had to use the stuff liberally and let it sit overnight when I installed headers on my old ass 92 Accord some years back- it helped a great deal.

 

this thread title is misleading!! it made me think it was about the OBX headers not fitting our car or something!!

 

Dude.

I just installed my headers last Thursday (Comptech,though!)

Anyways, you a 1/2" drive (14mm socket) and a 1ft 1/2" extension with a 2ft 1/2" ratchet. You need a wobbly though so that you won't strip the bolt.

Hold it straight under the car, with your left-hand (assuming you are left-handed) near the head of the ratchet and your right-hand
ALL the way at the end (longer the arm, the more torque you put on the bolt - Physics 101) .

It should come off... make sure you have jack-stands so that the car doesn't fall on you!

If you have done all the tricks such as WD-40, brake-cleaner, blah, blah, blah, then go buy an impact wrench. I have one, but didn't use it for fear of stripping the bolts.

BUT, beware!!! It's actually MUCH harder to put the darn bolts back ON the Comptech (or whatever header you got) because they are a nut-bolt combination... and guess what... you have to have something hold the top while you tighten from the botton - Trust me... this took the LONGEST time... more than taking any part of the header off or on.

Have fun... and let me know if you have any questions.

 

A breaker bar didn't work? Hmmm, maybe you need a weight training program. 2003 a-header bolts should have come right out.

Try the friend method, and what allmotor said about the Comptech bolts is very true. That same friend holding them from the top while you tighten from the bottom comes in very handy.

 

PB Penetrating spray, spray it on and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Oh yea, righty tighty, lefty loosy, jk

 

I must just suck. I think my problem was that i need a single ratchet extension. Going out to buy that tonight. Installation take 2 will happen tomorrow night. I think i can do this myself...take 3 to follow after the OSU game on saturday.